Barriers to Accessing Kidney Transplantation/Living Donor Kidney Transplant Among Populations Marginalized by Race and Ethnicity in Canada
Individuals from Indigenous and racialized (African, Caribbean and Black [ACB], South and East Asian) communities in Canada have a higher risk of kidney failure, compared to whites, due to higher prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, some specific kidney disease. Potentially, lower access to preventative and risk reducing intervention may also contribute.
In turn, patients with kidney failure from these communities are much less likely to receive a live donor kidney transplant, which is the best treatment option for kidney failure from a medical perspective for eligible patients. Patients with kidney failure from indigenous and racialized communities are also more likely to wait longer for a deceased donor kidney transplant. In addition to socio-economic disparities, living in rural and remote areas of the country, mistrust in the medical system, historic and personal experiences with micro- and macro-aggression, experiences with racism within and outside the healthcare system may contribute to these persistent inequities. Potential lack of knowledge about the impact of kidney failure and the risk/benefit of each treatment modality may also contribute.
In this presentation I will focus on barriers patients from ACB and Asian communities may face when considering treatment options for kidney failure.